Signs and symptoms of vision problems

Non-emergency

There are many signs that can mean vision problems, but are not an emergency. If you see someone doing any of these things, you should see your doctor:

• Eyes get tired from use or suffers from constant mild headaches. This could be a muscle problem

• Shuffling feet or dragging feet at stairs or steps. This could be loss of depth perception or blurry vision

• Changes in the way someone walks or stands. This could be a sign that the person is not sure of what they are seeing

• Stops doing favourite hobbies, or stops going to activities. This could be a sign of changes in vision. It could mean that it is hard for the person to see faces

• Clothes look stained or dirty. This could be a sign of changes in vision

• Does not seem to know the time of day. This could mean that the person can no longer see well enough to read a watch or clock

• Does not want to get out of bed. The person could be upset about a vision problem or change in vision

Emergency

There are also signs that can mean there is an emergency. If someone tells you about any of these signs, they will need to see an eye doctor immediately:

• Seeing haloes or rings around lights. This could mean that the person has glaucoma or problems in the cornea

• Seeing a ‘curtain' effect descending over the eyes. This could be a detached retina

• Seeing flashes of light or sudden, bright floating spots. This could be a hole or rip in the retina, or a detached retina

• Seeing a ‘spider web' floating. This could be a problem in the vitreous

• Double vision. This could be caused by diabetes or a stroke

• A sudden strong pain in one or both of the eyes. This could be a very severe case of glaucoma

• Sudden and very great sensitivity to lights. This could be an eye infection, or a sign of an eye injury

• Swollen, red eyes. This could be an eye infection

• Itching, burning, or a heavy discharge in the eyes. This could be an eye infection, an ingrown eyelash or a problem with the cornea

• Sudden strong headache that will not go away. This could be a problem with the optic nerve